Annunciator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. C. GOULD.

ANNUNGIATOB..

No. 564,746.. Patented July 28, 1896.

1H: mams msn: ca.. vnmaLmao., wasmuamu D c (No Model.) l 2 sheets-sheer 2.. C. C. GULD ANNUNGIATOR.

No. 564,746. Patented July 28, 18961 Maf Uk WV M wlw 15M/m1; of'

I UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CLAUDE C. GOULD, BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE EASTERN TELEPHONE SVITCHBOARD COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW' JERSEY.

ANNUNCIA-ron.

SPECIFICATION forming part ef Letters Patent No. 564,746, dated July es, 1896.

Application filed September 28, 1891. Renewed December l2, 1895A. Serial No. 571,958. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDE C. GOULD, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Annunciators, of which the following is a specification. A

This invention relates to an annunciator which is more especially desirable for the ro switchboards of telephone exchanges, but

which is equally useful for the call-service of hotels and the various other uses of electric annunciators.

The objects of my invention are to produce -an annunciator which is simple in construction and cheaply manufactured, and to so organize the annunciator that the same movement whereby its visual signal is replaced connects a talking or signaling circuit with 2o the main line, thus reducing the number of movements and the time incidental to connectin g the subscribers of a telephone-exchange or establishing communication between the rooms of a hotel or other building.

2 5 In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved annunciator secured to a switchboard or other support and showing the parts in a normal position. Fig. 2 is an elevation 3o of the opposite side thereof. Figs. 3 and 4. are opposite side elevations corresponding to those of Figs. l and 2, showing the position of the parts when the signal is projected and the local bell or signaling-circuit is connected with the main-line circuit. Fig. 5 is a top plan View of the annunciator. Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsection thereof, partly in elevation. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the same. Fig.

8 is a cross-section in line a2ac, Fig. 6, looking'v 4o toward the left. Fig. 9 is a similar section in line x so, Fig. 6, looking toward the right. Fig. lO is a side elevation of the annunciator, showing the position of the parts when the talking-circuit is connected with the mainline circuit and also showing a pedal-switch for calling or signaling a subscriber.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

For convenience my improved annunciator will be described in connection with a tele- 5o phone system.

A is the switchboard or other support, and B the frame of the annunciator, consisting, preferably, o f a tube secured with its front portion in an openin g in the switchboard by screw-nuts applied to the threaded end of the tube and bearing vagainst opposite sides of the board, as shown.

C is the coil of the annunciator supported by a suitable frame secured to the tube B, 6o and c is its armature, which is pivoted to the frame of the coil.

D is a plunger or follower arranged to slide in the tube B and carryinga push-button E,

arranged at the front end of the tube and connected with the plunger by a stem c. The push-button E also serves as a visual signal, and for this purpose its face bears a numeral or other character designating the line of the person or subscriber which it represents. 7o The stem of the push-button is guided in a perforated blockV or diaphragm e', arranged in the front portion of the tube B.

F is a spiral spring arranged in the tube. behind the plunger D and which tends to force the plunger forward, so as to project the button or signal E. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the front end of the springF bears against the rear side' of the plunger and its rear' end abuts against a pin f, passing trans- 8o versely through the rear end of the tube B.

G is a catch or locking-bolt controlled by the armature of the annunciator-eoil and whereby the plunger is retained in its inner normal position against the pressure of the springF. 8 5 This catch is suspended from a rearwardlyextending arm g, arranged on the pivoted armature c, and its lower end passes through an opening in the upper side of the tube B and interlocks with its abrupt rear face with 9o a shoulder d, formed on the adjacent side of the plunger. The lower end of the catchis beveled or inclined on its front side, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the catch4 is raised when. Y struck by the rear end of the plunger during A the inward movement ofthe same, the catch descending and engaging with its abrupt side against the shoulder of the plunger as soon as the enlarged rear portion of the latter has passed beyond the catch. The catch is prevented from entering the tube B too far by a shoulder g', formed by reducing the end portion of the catch. When the annunciatorcoil is excited, the catch is lifted out of engagement with the plunger by the movement of ing the latter rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 10.

the armature, thereby permitting the compressed spring F to force the plunger outward and projecting the push -button or visual signal. Y

H is a cross-bar of insulating material supported upon a metallic standard H', secured to the upper side of the tube or frame B and projecting laterally beyond the sides of the tube.

cZ' is a contact pin or projection secured to one side of the plunger and extending through a longitudinal slot b, formed in the tube B.

i is the incoming line-wire, and t" a wire leading from the latter to one end of the annunciator-coil.

h isa depending contact-spring secured to the end of the cross-bar H on the same side of the tube B as the conducting-pin CZ', and 7L' is a wire leading from said contact-spring to the adjacent end of the annunciator-coil. The spring 7L is arranged with its fiat side at right angles to the contact-pin CZ', so that the latter 'rests against the flat inner face of the spring, in the position of these parts represented in Figs. 2, '7, and 8.

j is a Wire connecting the metallic standard H with the ground. Electrical connection is established between the standard H' and the contact-pin CZ' through the plunger D and the metallic tube B. In the normal position of the parts shown in Figs. l, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 a current over the main line t passes through the branch wire i', coil C, wire h', contactspring h, contact-pin CZ', plunger D', tube or frame B, standard H', and Wirej to the ground, thus exciting the coil, releasing the catch F from the plunger, and projecting the visual signal D.

k is a contact-sprin g secured at its upper end to the cross-bar H on the same side of the tube B as the contact-pincZQand arrangedin the path of the latter in front of the spring h, so that the pin comes in contact with the lower end of said spring 7c when the plunger is in its outward position, as represented in Fig. 4.

K is a local bell or signal for the operator located at the telephone-exchange, and Za' is a wire leading from said bell to the contactspring k. When the button or visual signal E is projected, the current passes from the ground wire j through the standard H', tube B, plunger D, contact-pin d', contact-spring k, wire-7c', and local be-ll K to the ground, thus ringing the local bell and signaling the operator, whoA observes from the projected visual signalA which subscribe-r has called.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 8, and l0, Z is a dethe contact-spring Z. The spring m is adapted to be connected with the spring Z by deflectn is an insulated pin or projection carried by the plunger, on the side thereof, diametrically opposite the contact-pin d', and which passes through a longitudinal slot n', formed in the tube B. The pin 'n is insulated by a sleeve or coverin g of non-conductin g material, as shown. The front contact-spring Z is arranged in the path of the insulated projection n, and its position is such that it is detiected rearwardly against the rear contactspring m by thev final portion of the inward movement of the plunger and push-button,

but not when the push-button and plunger are in the normal position. (Shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and et.) For this purposethe shoulder of the plunger, with which the catch Finterlocks, is so located as to leave the button at a short distance from the front end of the tube B, when in its normal position, so aste afford the button sufficient further inward movement to press the contact-sprin g Z against the rear spring m. The latter is preferably formed at its lower end with a forwardlybent lip m, against which thel front spring Z bears.

o is a wire leading from the rear contactspring m to the operators telephone or talking mechanism, which latter may be of any ordinary or approved construction.

Vhile any suitable talking device may be connected with the annunciator, I prefer to employ the combined talking and calling' or signaling mechanism forming part of Fig. 10.- This mechanism consists, essentially, of a rectangular frame P, an upper contactspring p, which is connected with the telephone Q by a wire q, a lower contact fr, connected wit-h a battery R by a wire fr', and a vertically-sliding pedal-switch or push-rod S, carrying a contact pin or projection s, adapted to engage alternately with the upper and lower contact-springs@ r.

t t are dead-springs arranged opposite the contact-springs p r and which merely form supports for the adjacent portion of the contact-pin s, so as to properly guide the pin and prevent binding thereof.

u is a contact-spring bearing at all times against the lower portion of the sliding pushrod S and with which the wire o is connected. The push-rod is guided in the frame P in any suitable manner and is held in an elevated position by aspiral springS, surrounding the same. lVhen the pedal-rod-is in its IOO IIO

elevated position and the push-button isv pressed to its eXtreme inner position,.asshown in Fig. 10, the operators telephone is con' nected with the main line through the wire q, upper contact p, contact-pin s, pedal-rod S, contact u, wire o, rear and front contactsprings m and Z of the annunciator, and the wire Z. Upon pressing the push-button E to its eXtreme inner position and depressing the pedal-rod S- the operators telephone is cut out of the circuit and the battery is switched in through the wire fr', contact fr, contact-pin s, pedal-rod S, contact u, wire 0, the rear and front contact-springs m and lof the annunciator, and the wire Z'.

Upon pushing the visual signal or button E to its innermost position for switching in the talking or signaling circuit, the contact d' passes beyond the stationary spring h, out of contact therewith, thereby throwing off the ground connection through said spring and shunting the current through the operators talking or signaling circuit.

The operation of my improved annunciator is as follows: When a subscriber calls the telephone-exchange, the visual signal of the corresponding annunciator is projected, and as soon as the plunger D reaches its outermost position the operators call-bell is switched into the circuit and sounded, thus notifying the operator of the call. The operator now pushes the button or visual signal clear into the tube, as shown in Fig. l0, whereby his telephone is connected with the circuit and his call-bell cut out. Upon iinishing the conversation, the operator switches in the battery to ring off by depressing the pedal-rod S. After ringing off, the operator releases the push-button E and the pedal-rod, whereby the push-button returns to its normal position and the operators telephone is again placed in communication with the front contact-spring h of the annunciator, ready for another call. It will thus be noticed that the push-button takes the place of the aprons or drops heretofore employed and that the operators telephone is connected with the main line in the act of replacing the projected but! ton or visual signal, thus requiring fewer movements to connect subscribers than with the annunciators heretofore in use, simplifying the work of the operator and enabling him to make connections with greater despatch.

My improved annunciator is described and shown as applied to a closed battery-circuit; but it may obviously be employed in connection with a magneto-circuit.

If desired, any other suitable talking and ringing circuits than those shown and described may be connected with the contacts m and Z of the annunciator.

I claim as my inventionl. In an annunciator, the combination with a horizontal tube forming the frame of the an nunciator, of a plunger or follower sliding in said tube and carrying a contact, an electric magnet and its armature supported on said tube, aV catch adapted to engage with. said plunger and controlled by said armature, a spring whereby said plunger is projected when released, and a contact-terminal includedin a circuit and arranged to connect with the contact of the plunger, substantially as Aset forth. o

2. In an annunciator, the combination with a horizontal tube forming the frame of the annunciator, of a plunger or follower sliding in said tube and carrying a contact, a signal-button connected with said plunger and arranged to project beyond the front end of said tube when the plunger is moved outward, substantially as set forth. A

3. In an annunciator, the combination with a supporting-tube and an electromagnet and its armature supported thereon, of a plunger or follower sliding in said tube and carrying a contact, a catch engaging with said plunger y and controlled by said armature, a spring for projecting the plunger when released, and terminaly contacts arranged in the j path of the plunger-contact in front and in rear thereof, whereby the plunger-contact bears against said rear terminal in the inner position of the plunger and against said front terminal in the outer position thereof, substantially as .set forth.

the catch of the plunger and with which the plunger-contact is adapted to engage, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the base or frame of the annunciator, of a coil or magnet and its armature, a plunger or follower sliding on said base or frame, and provided on one IOO IIO

side with a projection and on its vopposite side with a contact, a push-button or visual signal connected with said plunger, contacts arranged on the base or frame in front and in rear of the plunger-contact and adapted to engage alternately with the same, and a contact arranged on the base in the path of the projection of the plunger, substantially` nal included in a signal-circuit and arranged and arranged adjacent to said contact-spring,

to connect with the plunger-contact, in the substantially as set forth. 1o* projected position of the latter, a contactlVitness my hand this 2d day of Septemspring included in a talking-circuit and arber, 1891. ranged to be deflected by the projection of CLAUDE C. GOULD.

the plunger when the latter is pressed inward ,Vitnesses:

beyond its normal position, anda contact- JNO. J. BONNER,

terminal also included in said talking-circuit FRED. C. GEYER. 

